Rupert Goold is Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre where he has previously directed Cold War; Women, Beware the Devil; Tammy Faye (transferred to Broadway in 2024); Patriots (transferred to West End in May 2023); Spring Awakening (also screened in cinemas); The Hunt (transferred to St Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Shipwreck; Albion (broadcast on BBC Four); Ink (also West End/ Broadway); Richard III (broadcast live to cinemas around the world); Medea; The Merchant of Venice; King Charles III (also West End/ Broadway/ UK and International tour) and American Psycho (also Broadway). Away from the Almeida, he has recently directed Dear England (National Theatre/ West End) and The 47th (The Old Vic), and will direct Hamlet (RSC) in early 2025. He was Artistic Director of Headlong from 2005 until 2013 where his work included The Effect; ENRON; Earthquakes in London; Decade. He has twice been the recipient of the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Director. He was Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2009 to 2012 and was Artistic Director of Northampton Theatres from 2002 to 2005. His feature film work includes Judy and True Story; and his other work on film includes the BAFTA nominated Richard II (part of The Hollow Crown); Macbeth for the BBC; and Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III for BBC Two. He was awarded a CBE for services to drama in 2017.

The Notre Dame London Shakespeare Lecture in Honour of Professor Sir Stanley Wells started at Notre Dame London in 2012. Envisioned as a celebration of a scholar of world renown, it is also a venue for students on the London program and members of the public to meet leading academics and theatre practitioners and hear about their work.

Past guests include eminent academics – Margreta De Grazia, Ann Thompson, Lois Potter, Russell Jackson, Michael Dobson, Peter Holland, Carol Rutter. We have had the pleasure of hearing distinguished theatre practitioners, both actors and directors – Judi Dench, Simon Russell Beale, Nicholas Hytner, Dominic Dromgoole, Gregory Doran.